U.S. patent application number 15/709594 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-06 for magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Teng-Wen HUANG, Tien-Tsai HUANG. Invention is credited to Teng-Wen HUANG, Tien-Tsai HUANG.
Application Number | 20180345742 15/709594 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61915329 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180345742 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HUANG; Tien-Tsai ; et
al. |
December 6, 2018 |
MAGNETICALLY CONTROLLED TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING APPARATUS
Abstract
A magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
includes a tire pressure detector, a power supply and a wake-up
device. The power supply supplies electrical power to the tire
pressure detector. The tire pressure detector includes a pressure
sensor used to detect a tire pressure, a microcontroller connected
to the pressure sensor and used to convert the tire pressure to a
tire pressure value, a register connected to the microcontroller
and used to store the tire pressure value or an ID code of the
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus for data
processing by the microcontroller, and a wireless signal
transmitter connected to the microcontroller and used to convert
the tire pressure value or the ID code to an electromagnetic
signal. The wake-up device includes a reed switch connected to the
microcontroller to control whether the wireless signal transmitter
transmits the electromagnetic signal or not.
Inventors: |
HUANG; Tien-Tsai; (New
Taipei City, TW) ; HUANG; Teng-Wen; (New Taipei City,
TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HUANG; Tien-Tsai
HUANG; Teng-Wen |
New Taipei City
New Taipei City |
|
TW
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
61915329 |
Appl. No.: |
15/709594 |
Filed: |
September 20, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60C 23/0425 20130101;
B60C 23/0461 20130101; B60C 23/0496 20130101; B60C 23/0498
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60C 23/04 20060101
B60C023/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 2, 2017 |
TW |
106118206 |
Claims
1. A magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus,
comprising: a tire pressure detector, including: a pressure sensor
used to detect a tire pressure; a microcontroller connected to the
pressure sensor and used to convert the tire pressure to a tire
pressure value; a register connected to the microcontroller and
used to store the tire pressure value or an ID code of the
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus for data
processing by the microcontroller; and a wireless signal
transmitter connected to the microcontroller and used to convert
the tire pressure value or the ID code to an electromagnetic
signal; a power supply used to provide electrical power to the tire
pressure detector; and a wake-up device including a reed switch
connected to the microcontroller to control whether the wireless
signal transmitter transmits the electromagnetic signal or not,
wherein the wake-up device or the microcontroller includes a
finite-state machine used to count how many times the reed switch
turns on/off or count a time interval when the reed switch is
closed to determine whether a next state is a waking state or a
sleep state.
2. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reed switch is controlled by a
magnetic field emitted from a magnetic controller which is not a
part of the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus, and the magnetic controller is a portable device or a
non-portable device.
3. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magnetic controller includes a
permanent magnet.
4. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tire pressure detector further
includes a temperature sensor used to detect a tire temperature;
the microcontroller is connected to the temperature sensor and
converts the tire temperature to a tire temperature value, and the
wireless signal transmitter converts the tire temperature value to
the electromagnetic signal.
5. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tire pressure detector further
includes a voltage sensor used to detect a voltage of the power
supply; the microcontroller is connected to the voltage sensor and
converts the voltage to a voltage value; and the wireless signal
transmitter converts the voltage value to the electromagnetic
signal.
6. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 5, wherein the register further stores the tire
temperature value or the voltage value.
7. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pressure sensor, the temperature
sensor, the voltage sensor, the microcontroller, the wireless
signal transmitter and the register is integrated into a
microprocessor.
8. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pressure sensor, the temperature
sensor, the voltage sensor, the microcontroller, the wireless
signal transmitter and the register are all formed on a circuit
board.
9. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tire pressure detector and the
wake-up device are in a series connection or a parallel connection
with the power supply.
10. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reed switch is a dry reed tube,
or a magnetically controlled component having two magnetically
controllable ends to perform an open circuit or a closed
circuit.
11. (canceled)
12. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wake-up device has a learning
function which analyses the time points when the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus turns on, and
activates the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus automatically according to analysis results.
13. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wake-up device has an inspection
function which checks the function of the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus to determine whether there is a
malfunction or not.
14. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reed switch is a normally-open
reed switch or a normally-closed reed switch.
15. A magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
module, comprising: a plurality of the magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatuses, each comprising: a tire pressure
detector, including: a pressure sensor used to detect a tire
pressure; a microcontroller connected to the pressure sensor and
used to convert the tire pressure to a tire pressure value; a
register connected to the microcontroller and used to store the
tire pressure value or an ID code of the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus for data processing by the
microcontroller; and a wireless signal transmitter connected to the
microcontroller and used to convert the tire pressure value or the
ID code to an electromagnetic signal; a power supply used to
provide electrical power to the tire pressure detector; and a
wake-up device including a reed switch connected to the
microcontroller to control whether the wireless signal transmitter
transmits the electromagnetic signal or not; a magnetic controller
used to emit a magnetic field to activate the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatuses; and a wireless
signal receiver used to receive a plurality of electromagnetic
signals transmitted from the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatuses, wherein the wake-up device or the
microcontroller includes a finite-state machine used to count how
many times the reed switch turns on/off or count a time interval
when the reed switch is closed to determine whether a next state is
a waking state or a sleep state.
16. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
module as claimed in claim 15, wherein the magnetic controller and
the wireless signal receiver are arranged in a test station
suitable for a car to stop at.
17. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
module as claimed in claim 16, wherein the test station includes a
monitoring center to monitor driving safety of a fleet of vehicles
by an Internet of Vehicle system.
18. A magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus,
comprising: a tire pressure detector, including: a pressure sensor
used to detect a tire pressure; and a microcontroller connected to
the pressure sensor and used to convert the tire pressure to a tire
pressure value; a power supply used to provide electrical power to
the tire pressure detector; a monitor connected to the
microcontroller of the tire pressure detector, and a wake-up device
including a reed switch connected to the microcontroller to control
whether to light up the monitor or not, wherein the wake-up device
or the microcontroller includes a finite-state machine used to
count how many times the reed switch turns on/off or count a time
interval when the reed switch is closed to determine whether a next
state is a waking state or a sleep state.
19. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 18, wherein the monitor is an LED lamp used to
display a warning light according to the tire pressure value.
20. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
as claimed in claim 18, wherein the monitor is a display device
used to display the tire pressure value.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a tire pressure monitoring
apparatus and, more particularly, to a magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] Generally, it is necessary to maintain sufficient tire
pressure for a tire to ensure the driving safety. A tire pressure
monitoring apparatus is used to detect the tire pressure and send
out a warning when the tire pressure is insufficient.
[0003] Tire pressure monitoring apparatuses can be classified into
external tire pressure monitoring apparatuses and internal tire
pressure monitoring apparatuses. An external tire pressure
monitoring apparatus is set on a valve out of a tire, and can be
installed or removed at any time. An internal tire pressure
monitoring apparatus is set in the tire and thus hard to be lost,
and the tire can have a clean appearance. Generally, the tire
pressure monitoring apparatus outputs data wirelessly.
[0004] Conventionally, a wireless tire pressure monitoring
apparatus is configured to transmit electromagnetic signals
periodically to output data. It transmits signals once in one time
interval. However, the prior art wireless tire pressure monitoring
apparatus is not convenient, since the car driver or user may want
to know the tire pressure value earlier; or, during parking time,
it is unnecessary to know the tire pressure value, and the wireless
tire pressure monitoring apparatus does not have to transmit
signals either. Therefore, the prior art wireless tire pressure
monitoring apparatus still needs to be improved.
SUMMARY
[0005] In light of the above, according to a first aspect of the
present invention, there is provided a magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatus, which includes a tire pressure
detector, a power supply and a wake-up device. The power supply
supplies electrical power to the tire pressure detector. The tire
pressure detector includes a pressure sensor used to detect a tire
pressure; a microcontroller connected to the pressure sensor and
used to convert the detected tire pressure to a tire pressure
value; a register connected to the microcontroller and used to
store the tire pressure value or an ID code of the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus for data processing
by the microcontroller; and a wireless signal transmitter connected
to the microcontroller and used to convert the tire pressure value
to an electromagnetic signal. The wake-up device includes a reed
switch connected to the microcontroller to control whether the
wireless signal transmitter transmits the electromagnetic signal or
not.
[0006] Accordingly, a bidirectional communication can be achieved
between a car driver or user and the magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatus. The car driver or user can use the
magnetic controller to actively emit a magnetic field to activate
(or wake up) the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus, and the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus can further transmit data signals to the car driver or
user. Compared to the prior art which can only passively wait for
periodically transmitting data signals, the present invention has
much more flexibility.
[0007] In addition, the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus of the present invention is activated only
when a magnetic field approaches it, and it can be configured to
transmit data signals only at a specified time instead of all
times, thereby realizing the purpose of power saving.
[0008] It is noted that, the use of a reed switch in the present
invention is advantageous, since the reed switch is controlled by a
magnetic field, and the magnetic field can be provided by a
permanent magnet, which does not consume any electrical power. A
magnetic controller made of a permanent magnet to control the
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus of the
present invention can also realize the purpose of power saving.
[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus module, which includes a plurality of the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatuses, a magnetic
controller and a wireless signal receiver. The magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatuses are suitable to be
arranged on a plurality of tires, respectively. The magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus of the present
invention can be used in a pneumatic tire of a motorcycle,
automobile, bus, truck, lorry or trailer, or airplanes. The
magnetic controller can emit a magnetic field to activate the
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatuses. The
wireless signal receiver can receive the electromagnetic signals
transmitted from the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatuses.
[0010] In general, the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatuses are installed on a plurality of tires of a
car, respectively. Taking a truck as an example, there are plural
tires on a hind axle of the truck, and it is difficult to detect
the tire pressure of the inner tire. Therefore, a car driver or
user may require that they can receive all tire pressure values
detected by the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatuses at one time when the car enters a test station. The
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus module
of the present invention is advantageous for such requirement,
since a magnetic controller made of a permanent magnet can induce a
stable and extensive magnetic field to activate the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatuses.
[0011] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus, which includes a tire pressure detector, a power supply,
an LED lamp and a wake-up device. The power supply supplies
electrical power to the tire pressure detector. The tire pressure
detector includes a pressure sensor used to detect a tire pressure;
and a microcontroller connected to the pressure sensor and used to
convert the tire pressure to tire pressure value data. The LED lamp
is connected to the microcontroller of the tire pressure detector
and used to display a warning light according to a current state
indicated by the tire pressure value data. The wake-up device
includes a reed switch connected to the microcontroller to
controller to control whether to light up the LED lamp or not.
[0012] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus, which includes a tire pressure detector, a power supply,
a display device and a wake-up device. The power supply supplies
electrical power to the tire pressure detector. The tire pressure
detector includes a pressure sensor used to sense a tire pressure;
and a microcontroller connected to the pressure sensor and used to
convert the tire pressure to a tire pressure value. The display
device is connected to the microcontroller of the tire pressure
detector and used to display the tire pressure value. The wake-up
device includes a reed switch connected to the microcontroller to
control whether to light up the display device or not.
[0013] The LED lamp and the display device can be referred to as a
monitor.
[0014] In conclusion, the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus and the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus module by the present invention are activated
according to a magnetic field, especially a magnetic field emitted
from an external magnetic controller which is not a part of the
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus. The
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus and the
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus module
of the present invention are applicable to such as motorcycle,
automobile, bus, truck, lorry or trailer. A car driver or user can
wake up the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus in a specified time when they want, thereby realizing the
purpose of power saving. Of course, the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus and the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus module of the present invention
are also applicable to tires of airplanes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an example of an external tire pressure
monitoring apparatus of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 shows an example of an internal tire pressure
monitoring apparatus of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus according to a first embodiment
of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 shows a normally-open reed switch of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a normally-closed reed switch of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus according to a second embodiment
of the present invention;
[0021] FIGS. 7 to 10 show a magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus module according to a third embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus according to a fourth embodiment
of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus installed on a tire
valve according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus according to a fifth embodiment
of the present invention; and
[0025] FIGS. 14 and 15 show schematic views of the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus installed on a wheel
rim according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0026] Different embodiments of the present invention are explained
hereinafter. It is to be understood that these embodiments are not
meant to limiting. The technical features of the present invention
are applicable to other embodiments by modification, replacement,
combination, separation and configuration.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows an example of an external tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 7 of the present invention. It is installed on
an external side of a tire 9 and threadedly fastened on a valve
91.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows an example of an internal tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 8 of the present invention. It is installed on
a wheel rim 92 of a tire 9, while its body is in an internal side
of the tire 9. There is a via-bole structure 81 extending from a
valve hole 93 on the wheel rim 92 of the tire 9 to an external side
of the tire 9 for connection to a valve 91.
[0029] The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention is
applicable to either an external tire pressure monitoring apparatus
7 or an internal tire pressure monitoring apparatus 8.
First Embodiment
[0030] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus 1 mainly includes a tire pressure detector 10, a power
supply 20 and a wake-up device 30, which are all formed on a
printed circuit board 40.
[0032] The tire pressure detector 10 at least includes a pressure
sensor 11, a microcontroller 14, a wireless signal transmitter 15
and a register 16. Furthermore, the tire pressure detector 10 can
include a temperature sensor 12 and a voltage sensor 13. The
aforementioned components can be integrated into a
microprocessor.
[0033] The pressure sensor 11 is used to detect a tire pressure.
The temperature sensor 12 is used to detect a tire temperature. The
voltage sensor 13 is used to detect a voltage of the power supply
20. The pressure sensor 11, the temperature sensor 12 and the
voltage sensor 13 are connected to the microcontroller 14. The
microcontroller 14 can convert the tire pressure, the tire
temperature or the voltage into a tire pressure value, a tire
temperature value or a voltage value, respectively, and it also
determines whether the wireless signal transmitter 15 transmits an
electromagnetic signal or not. The wireless signal transmitter 15
is connected to the microcontroller 14, and is used to convert the
tire pressure value, the tire temperature value, the voltage value
or an ID code of the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 1 into an electromagnetic signal. The register
16 is used to store the tire pressure value, the tire temperature
value, the voltage value or the ID code of the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1 for data processing
by the microcontroller 14.
[0034] The power supply 20 is used to provide electrical power to
the tire pressure detector 10. The power supplier 20 is a battery,
for example. The voltage sensor 13 can be used to check the voltage
of the battery.
[0035] The wake-up device 30 includes a reed switch 31. The reed
switch 31 is connected to the microcontroller 14, such that the
microcontroller 14 controls whether the wireless signal transmitter
15 transmits the electromagnetic signal or not. In particular, the
microcontroller 14 determines whether the wireless signal
transmitter 15 transmits the electromagnetic signal according to an
on/off state of the reed switch 31. The on/off state of the reed
switch 31 is controlled by a magnetic field, wherein the state "on"
means closed and conducting, and the state "off" means open and
non-conducting. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the reed switch 31 can
be a normally-open reed switch 31 or a normally-closed reed switch
31'. The reed switch 31 can be a dry reed tube or a magnetically
controlled component having two magnetically controllable ends to
perform an open circuit or a closed circuit.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows the normally-open reed switch 31 of the present
invention.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows the normally-closed reed switch 31' of the
present invention.
[0038] Either of the reed switches 31 and 31' includes a first
metal spring strip 311 and a second metal spring strip 312. The
first metal spring strip 311 has a fixed end 3111 and a free end
3112, and the second metal spring strip 312 has a fixed end 3121
and a free end 3122. The fixed end 3111 of the first metal spring
strip 311 and the fixed end 3121 of the second metal spring strip
312 serve as two ends of the wake-up device 30.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, for the normally-open reed switch 31,
the first metal spring strip 311 and the second metal spring strip
312 are separated from each other, and thus they form an open
circuit in a normal state. The existence of a magnetic field will
shift the free end 3112 of the first metal spring strip 311 to
contact the free end 3122 of the second metal spring strip 312 to
form a closed circuit. At this moment, current can flow through the
reed switch 31, and voltage can be transmitted from one end of the
reed switch 31 to another end of the reed switch 31.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, for the normally-closed reed switch 31',
the first metal spring strip 311 contacts the second metal spring
strip 312, and thus they form a closed circuit in a normal state.
The existence of a magnetic field will shift the free end 3112 of
first metal spring strip 311 to leave the free end 3122 of the
second metal spring strip 312 to form an open circuit. At this
moment, current cannot flow through the reed switch 31', and
voltage cannot be transmitted from one end of the reed switch 31'
to another end of the reed switch 31'.
[0041] Optionally, the wake-up device 30 can be configured to
independently control one of, or a plurality of the pressure sensor
11, the temperature sensor 12, the voltage sensor 13, the
microcontroller 14, the wireless signal transmitter 15 and the
register 16 in the tire pressure detector 10, such that some of
them are in a waking state, while some are in a sleep state.
[0042] Optionally, the wake-up device 30 or the microcontroller 14
may include a finite-state machine. The finite-state machine counts
how many times the reed switch 31 turns on/off to determine a next
on/off state. For example, when the reed switch 31 has been closed
for an odd number of times, it controls the wireless signal
transmitter 15 or any other components to enter a sleep state. When
the reed switch 31 has been closed for an even number of times, it
controls the wireless signal transmitter 15 or any other component
to enter a waking state. The wake-up device 30 can turn on and off
reciprocally (alternatively) according to how many times a magnetic
field appears to control each component to enter the sleep state or
the waking state.
[0043] Optionally, the wake-up device 30 or the microcontroller 14
counts the time interval when the reed switch 31 is closed to
determine the next on/off state.
[0044] The wake-up device 30 can also have other functions, such as
an updated learning function or an inspection function. With the
updated learning function, the wake-up device 30 analyses the time
points when the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus 1 turns on, and activates it automatically according to
the analysis result, or the wake-up device 30 can update the ID
code of the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus 1. With the inspection function, the wake-up device 30
checks the function of the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 1 to determine whether there is a malfunction
or not.
[0045] Referring back to FIG. 3, since the magnetic force is a
non-contact force, the magnetic field that controls the reed switch
31 can be emitted from the magnetic controller 2. The magnetic
controller 2 is not a part of the magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatus 1, and they are independent from each
other. When the magnetic controller 2 approaches the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1, the magnetic field
emitted from it will act on the reed switch 31 to control its
on/off state. The magnetic controller 2 may be a portable device to
activate the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus 1, and is provided for a car driver or user to hold it to
approach the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus 1. It may otherwise be a non-portable device to activate
the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1
when the car with the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 1 approaches it.
[0046] Accordingly, a bidirectional communication can be achieved
between a car driver or user and the magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatus 1. The car driver or user can use the
magnetic controller 2 to actively emit a magnetic field to activate
(or wake up) the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus 1, and the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 1 can further transmit data signals such as
the tire pressure value, the tire temperature value, the voltage
value or the ID code to the car driver or user. Compared to the
prior art which can only passively wait for periodically
transmitted data signals, the present invention has much more
flexibility.
[0047] In addition, the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 1 of the present invention is activated only
when a magnetic field approaches it, such that it can be configured
to transmit data signals only at a specified time instead of all
times, thereby realizing the purpose of power saving. For example,
during the time interval between a car user goes back to a parking
space today and the car user goes to work tomorrow, the car user
can use the magnetic controller 2 to turn the wireless signal
transmitter 15 of the wireless tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1
into the sleep state. On the other hand, when the car is about to
set out, the car user can use the magnetic controller 2 to turn the
wireless signal transmitter 15 of the wireless tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 1 into the waking state.
[0048] It is noted that, the use of a reed switch in the present
invention is advantageous, since the reed switch is controlled by a
magnetic field, and the magnetic field can be provided by a
permanent magnet, which does not consume any electrical power. A
magnetic controller 2 made of a permanent magnet can control the
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1 of the
present invention by a magnetic field. There is no need to emit
electromagnetic waves, such as radio, microwave and infrared, which
consume electrical power, and thus it can realize the purpose of
power saving. Of course, it is also possible to provide a magnetic
field by an electromagnet.
Second Embodiment
[0049] FIG. 6 shows a magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 1' according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0050] The second embodiment is a variation based on the first
embodiment. In the second embodiment, the tire pressure detector 10
and the wake-up device 30 are in a series connection, and the
series connection is then connected to the power supply 20.
Therefore, the power supply to the tire pressure detector 10 is
completely controlled by the wake-up device 30. In addition, the
reed switch in the second embodiment is a normally-closed reed
switch 31', which is closed in a normal state. Before leaving a
garage, the car installed with the magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatus 1' can be accompanied with the
magnetic controller 2, such that the reed switch 31' is open, and
thus the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus
1' is stayed in the sleep state. When preparing for the car to
leave the garage, the car user may remove the magnetic controller
2, so that, after the car leaves the garage, the reed switch 31' is
closed as its normal state, and thus the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1' enters the waking state.
Other components and their operation are similar to those of the
first embodiment.
Third Embodiment
[0051] FIGS. 7 to 10 show a magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus module 100 according to the third embodiment
of the present invention.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 7, the magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatus module 100 at least includes a
plurality of magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatuses 1, a magnetic controller 2 and a wireless signal
receiver 3. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatuses 1 are suitable to be installed on a plurality of tires,
respectively, and can be made as discussed in the first embodiment
or the second embodiment. The magnetic controller 2 can emit a
magnetic field to activate a plurality of magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatuses 1. The wireless signal
receiver 3 can receive a plurality of electromagnetic signals
emitted from a plurality of magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatuses 1 for a computer to read and confirm the
tire pressures of the tires.
[0053] A car may enter a test station to detect a tire pressure.
The test station can include a monitoring center to monitor the
driving safety of a fleet of cars by, for example, Internet of
Vehicle (IoV). In general, a plurality of magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatuses 1 are installed on a plurality
of tires of a car. A car driver or user may require that they can
receive all tire pressure values detected by the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatuses 1 at one time when
the car enters the test station. The magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatus module 100 of the present invention
is advantageous for such requirement, since a magnetic controller 2
made of a permanent magnet can induce a stable and extensive
magnetic field to activate the magnetically controlled tire
pressure monitoring apparatuses 1.
[0054] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, one or more magnetic controllers
2 can be installed on a platform 4 of the test station. The
platform 4 is suitable for a motorcycle, an automobile, a bus, a
truck, a lorry or a trailer to stop at. Alternatively, the magnetic
controllers 2 can be installed on a frame 4' of the test station.
The frame 4' is suitable to the aforementioned vehicles to pass
through. When the vehicle is stopping on the platform 4, or passing
through the frame 4', the magnetic field emitted from the magnetic
controller 2 is strong enough to activate the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatuses 1 for
detection.
[0055] The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus module 100 of the present invention is advantageous for a
fleet of motorcycles, automobiles, buses, trucks, lorries or
trailers to detect their tire pressures in turn. When the fleet is
about to set out, the vehicles of the fleet can stop at or pass
through the test station one by one for the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus module 100 to detect their tire
pressure. This improves the driving safety.
[0056] Of course, it is also possible to provide a magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus module with one
magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1, one
magnetic controller 2 and one wireless signal receiver 3.
[0057] In conclusion, the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus and the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus module provided by the present invention are
activated according to a magnetic field, especially a magnetic
field emitted from an external magnetic controller which is not a
part of the magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus. The car driver or user can wake up the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus 1 at a specified time
when they want, thereby realizing the purpose of power saving.
Fourth Embodiment
[0058] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram of the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus 101 according to the fourth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus 101 installed on the
tire valve according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0060] The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus 101 mainly includes a tire pressure detector 10', a power
supply 20 and a wake-up device 30, which are all formed on a
printed circuit board 40. In addition, the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus 101 further includes a light
emitting diode (LED) lamp 50.
[0061] The tire pressure detector 10' at least includes a pressure
sensor 11 and a microcontroller 14. Moreover, it can include a
voltage sensor 13. Furthermore, it can include a register 16. The
aforementioned components can be integrated into a microprocessor.
It is noted that, the tire pressure detector 10' in this embodiment
does not include a temperature sensor 12 and a wireless signal
transmitter 15.
[0062] The LED lamp 50 is connected to the microcontroller 14 of
the tire pressure detector 10', and shows warning light according
to a tire pressure value. The LED lamp 50 includes lamps of various
colors, for example, a red lamp to represent an insufficient tire
pressure and a green lamp to represent a normal tire pressure,
while lamps of other colors can be used to represent various states
of the tire pressure.
[0063] The reed switch 31 of the wake-up device 30 is connected to
the microcontroller 14, such that the microcontroller 14 determines
whether or not to light up the LED lamp 50 according to the on/off
state of the reed switch 31, and the on/off state of the reed
switch 31 depends on whether the external magnetic field exists or
not.
[0064] The functions of the other components with the same numeral
symbols as the first embodiment can be referred to those described
in the first embodiment.
[0065] Therefore, the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 101 of the present invention is lighted up
only when a magnetic field approaches it, and remains dark at other
times, thereby realizing the purpose of power saving.
Fifth Embodiment
[0066] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus 102 according to the fifth
embodiment of the present invention.
[0067] FIGS. 14 and 15 show schematic views of the magnetically
controlled tire pressure monitoring apparatus 102 installed on the
wheel rim 92 according to the fifth embodiment of the present
invention. The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus 102 is connected to a valve 91 through an extension tube
94.
[0068] The magnetically controlled tire pressure monitoring
apparatus 102 mainly includes a tire pressure detector 10'', a
power supply 20 and a wake-up device 30, which are all formed on a
printed circuit board 40. In addition, the magnetically controlled
tire pressure monitoring apparatus 102 further includes a display
device 60.
[0069] The tire pressure detector 10'' at least includes a pressure
sensor 11 and a microcontroller 14. Moreover, it can include a
temperature sensor 12 and a voltage sensor 13. Furthermore, it can
include a register 16. The aforementioned components can be
integrated into a microprocessor. It is noted that, the tire
pressure detector 10'' in this embodiment does not include a
wireless signal transmitter 15.
[0070] The display device 60 is connected to the microcontroller 14
of the tire pressure detector 10'', and shows a tire pressure
value, a tire temperature value, the voltage value or an ID code.
The display device 60 can be an LED display or a liquid crystal
display. The display device 60 shown in FIG. 14 has a square shape,
while the display device 60 shown in FIG. 15 has a circular
shape.
[0071] The reed switch 31 of the wake-up device 30 is connected to
the microcontroller 14, such that the microcontroller 14 determines
whether to light up the display device 60 according to the on/off
state of the reed switch 31, and the on/off state of the reed
switch 31 depends on whether the external magnetic field exists or
not.
[0072] The functions of the other components with the same numeral
symbols as the first embodiment can be referred to those described
in the first embodiment.
[0073] Therefore, the magnetically controlled tire pressure
monitoring apparatus 102 of the present invention is lighted up
only when a magnetic field approaches it, and remains dark at other
times, thereby realizing the purpose of power saving.
[0074] Although the present invention has been explained in
relation to the aforementioned embodiments, it is to be understood
that many other possible modifications and variations can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
hereinafter claimed.
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